HB683 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg Wren

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Nurses and Nursing, certified registered nurse paractitioner prescribe certain controlled substances, qualifications for a Qualified Alabama Controlled Substances Registration Certificate (QACSC), Board of Medical Examiner certify and renew QACSC, regulations for fees, fines punishment, disciplinary hearings, Article 3B added to Chapter 2, Title 20, Secs. 20-2-80 to 20-2-89 added; Secs. 20-2-214, 20-2-217 am'd

Summary

HB683 would allow certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs) to prescribe certain controlled substances if they obtain a Qualified Alabama Controlled Substances Registration Certificate (QACSC), under new oversight by the Board of Medical Examiners and related regulations.

What This Bill Does

Creates a new Article 3B to authorize CRNPs, in collaboration with physicians, to prescribe Schedule III–V controlled substances under a QACSC. It sets qualification requirements (advanced pharmacology course and at least 12 months of active collaborative practice), and designates the Board of Medical Examiners to register and approve CRNPs for a QACSC with regulatory authority over applications, fees, discipline, and appeals. It expands access to the controlled substances prescription database for CRNPs with a QACSC and adds a $10 annual surcharge on each certificate to fund the database. The bill also imposes restrictions (no stockpiling, no prescribing to self or family) and establishes a disciplinary process, judicial review options, and immunity provisions.

Who It Affects

• Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners (CRNPs) who collaborate with physicians and wish to prescribe certain controlled substances through a QACSC, subject to board rules and oversight.
• Patients in Alabama who receive prescriptions for Schedule III–V controlled substances from CRNPs with a QACSC, under the agreed collaborative arrangements.

Key Provisions

• Adds Article 3B to Title 20 to authorize prescribing of certain controlled substances by CRNPs in collaborative practice with physicians and to define related terms (Administer, Collaborating Physician, Collaborative Agreement, etc.).
• Makes the Board of Medical Examiners the certifying body for CRNPs to obtain/renew a QACSC, requiring proof of completion of approved pharmacology coursework and 12 months of active collaborative practice, and allows the board to regulate applications, fees, discipline, and hearings.
• Allows CRNPs with a QACSC to prescribe Schedule III–V controlled substances under board-approved protocols, with restrictions on stockpiling and prescribing to self or immediate family.
• Expands access to the controlled substances prescription database to include CRNPs with a QACSC and imposes a $10 yearly surcharge on these certificates (and related licenses) to fund the database, with provisions for refunds if costs exceed certain thresholds.
• Establishes disciplinary procedures with hearings, possible suspension/revocation of a QACSC, administrative fines up to $1,000 per violation, and appeals, plus requirements to notify the DEA of suspensions/revocations.
• Provides for judicial review of board decisions, immediate effect of certain actions, and rules governing costs and expenses of disciplinary proceedings.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Nurses and Nursing